Forming Astros’ future nucleus could include tough decisions on top prospects

Former Astro J.A. Happ is probably not a fan of the unexpected blockbuster trade between the Marlins and Blue Jays Thursday. With two more seasoned and expensive pitchers headed to Toronto, it’s quite possible that Happ will be the odd man out soon.

For the current Astros’ roster and management, the trade could be a lesson of things to come. Obviously, Houston is not presently in the situation to make a trade like either Miami or Toronto, but that blockbuster does raise some questions regarding the various phases of development — or redevelopment — of the organization.

At this point in the rebuilding process, the Astros are clearly focusing on one thing: Parlay any veteran pieces you can into more depth in the minor league system.

But, sooner or later, the pendulum will swing and GM Jeff Luhnow will have to balance his approach. Whether it’s 2013 or 2014, the Astros will need to trade minor league pieces for an upgrade on the major league roster. May not be a Jose Reyes or John Buck or Mark Buerhle or Josh Johnson, but the Astros could certainly be in the market for players who are closer to major league ready or even a potential impact player who has already tasted the majors.

What if the Astros were able to acquire a player like Mike Moustakas or Jason Kipnis or even a Brett Lawrie. What if Giancarlo Stanton was unexpectedly available? Name your young player or prospect. The day will come when the Astros need to find a player or players to form a nucleus for the future. Face it, as Thanksgiving 2012 approaches, the Astros have little to build around outside of Jose Altuve. That could change as Jonathan Singleton, Jarred Cosart or George Springer arrive, but for now, that’s it.

But if the pieces of the puzzle like the afforementioned and others don’t play up to expectations, Luhnow may be forced to look elsewhere to fill in some of the blanks. There is little doubt that trades will be part of the equation of rebuilding. As will free agent signings. Striking the right balance will ultimately tell the tale.

But at what cost? Astros’ fans are certainly enamored with players like Singleton, Springer, Cosart, Delino Deshiels, Lance McCullers, Jonathan Villar and others making their way through the system. Many of the current prospects have turned the heads of scouts from other organizations as well and, for the first time in years, GMs would line up if any of those players were available.

But here’s the question: Which of these current Top 20 prospects in the system would you be willing to part with if there was an obvious or apparent upgrade to the major league roster? Let’s make it clearer. If the Marlins were to offer Stanton — and there is no indication they will — which Astros’ prospect(s) could the team offer in return and still come out ahead in the trade? Cosart? Deshields? McCullers? Domingo Santana?

Tough call, no? It’s a question that Luhnow will face sooner or later when he begins to shift from cleaning house and restocking the minor leagues to building a major league roster.

Do you trust Luhnow to be shrewd? Are you okay with selling a prospect when Luhnow and his staff deem he’s peaked?

To be honest, the Astros have done the easy part. Getting rid of the veterans with big contracts and upgrading the minors is not the heavy lifting. Don’t get me wrong, Luhnow has done well thus far in his trades. Knowing when to move players like Wandy Rodriguez and Brett Myers and gauging the return indeed is important, but knowing when to transition to the next phase of rebuilding and navigating that course will up the ante.

Here are the questions of the day:

Are there untouchables in the Astros Top 20 list?

Which player(s) come to mind (e.g. Stanton) you would trade for?

Which Astros’ prospect in the list is the most over rated?

Are there players who have peaked and Luhnow would do well to trade now while their stock may still be high (e.g. Jordan Lyles, Bud Norris, Jed Lowrie, Jimmy Paredes)?